MOTHER’S DAY - ESL Holiday Lessons

www.ESL HOLIDAY LESSONS.com

MOTHER’S
DAY

http://www.eslHolidayLessons.com/05/mothers_day.html

CONTENTS: 2
3
The Reading / Tapescript 4
Phrase Match 5
Listening Gap Fill 6
Listening / Reading Gap Fill 7
Choose the Correct Word 8
Multiple Choice 9
Spelling 10
Put the Text Back Together 11
Scrambled Sentences 12
Discussion 13
Student Survey 14
Writing
Homework

ALL ANSWERS ARE IN THE TEXT ON PAGE 2.

MOTHER’S DAY

THE READING / TAPESCRIPT

Mother's Day is an important day all around the world, even though
it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries celebrate it
on the same day, but the most popular day is the second Sunday in
May. It is, of course, a day to honour our mothers and make them
feel extra special. A punctuation point about the day is that most
countries choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the
apostrophe before the ‘s’ to show that each family honours their
mother, rather than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get
especially excited about Mother’s Day and put a lot of effort into
making cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For
mothers, it is like having a second birthday.
Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. means
mothers usually get the day off from housework. It is common for
children to cook for their mother so she can have breakfast in bed.
She also receives presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's
Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants, as children take
their Mums to lunch and/or dinner. Americans spend a lot on this
day - over $2.5 billion on flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day
cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and the money
raised goes to help needy mothers and their children. Many people
are against the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children
(and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a thought for them
this Mother’s Day.

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 2

MOTHER’S DAY

PHRASE MATCH

Match the following phrases from the article.
Paragraph 1

1. Not all countries celebrate it a. the ‘s’
2 honour our mothers and make b. into making cards
3. the apostrophe before c. a second birthday
4. Young children get especially d. on the same day
5. put a lot of effort e. excited
6. it is like having f. them feel extra special

Paragraph 2

1. mothers usually get the day a. a lot on this day
2 she can have breakfast b. thought for them
3. the busiest day c. needy mothers
4. Americans spend d. off from housework
5. money raised goes to help e. in bed
6. Spare a f. of the year

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 3

MOTHER’S DAY

LISTENING GAP FILL

Mother's Day is an important ________________ world, even though
it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries celebrate it
________________, but the most popular day is the second Sunday
in May. It is, of course, a day to honour our mothers and make them
________________. A punctuation point about the day is that most
countries choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the
apostrophe before the ‘s’ __________________ family honours their
mother, rather than all of the world’s mothers. Young children get
especially excited about Mother’s Day and put ________________
making cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For
mothers, ________________ a second birthday.

Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. means
mothers ________________ day off from housework. It is common
for children to cook for their mother ________________ breakfast in
bed. She also receives presents, flowers and cards. In America,
Mother's Day is ________________ the year for restaurants, as
children take their Mums __________________. Americans spend a
lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers and $70 million on
Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic flowers and
the money raised ________________ mothers and their children.
Many people are against the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for
children (and adults) who have lost their mother. ________________
for them this Mother’s Day.

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 4

MOTHER’S DAY

WHILE READING / LISTENING GAP FILL

Put the words into the gaps in the text. choose
celebrate
Mother's Day is an important day all __________ the world, even
though it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries effort
__________ it on the same day, but the most popular day is the rather
second Sunday in May. It is, of course, a day to __________ our having
mothers and make them feel extra special. A punctuation point around
about the day is that most countries __________ the singular honour
possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to especially
show that each family honours their mother, __________ than all
of the world’s mothers. Young children get __________ excited
about Mother’s Day and put a lot of __________ into making
cards and presents for their Mums, or Moms in America. For
mothers, it is like __________ a second birthday.

Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. spend
__________ mothers usually get the day off from housework. It is receives
__________ for children to cook for their mother so she can have
breakfast in bed. She also __________ presents, flowers and needy
cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for thought
restaurants, as children take their Mums to lunch and/or dinner.
Americans __________ a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on means
flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people common
buy small plastic flowers and the money __________ goes to help
__________ mothers and their children. Many people are against
__________ the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children raised
(and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a __________ for
them this Mother’s Day.

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 5

MOTHER’S DAY

CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD

Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.

Mother's Day is an important day all / every around the world, even
though it started in North America and Europe. Not all countries
celebrate it on the same daily / day, but the most popular day is the
second Sunday in May. It is, of course / cause, a day to honour our
mothers and make them feel extra special. A punctuation point about
the day is that most countries chosen / choose the singular possessive
“Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to show that all /
each family honours their mother, rather than all of the world’s
mothers. Young children get especially / special excited about Mother’s
Day and put a lot / lots of effort into making cards and presents for
their Mums, or Moms in America. For mothers, it is likely / like having
a second birthday.

Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. meaning /
means mothers usually get the day off from housework. It is common
for children to cook / cooking for their mother so she can have
breakfast in bed. She also receives presents, flowers / flower and
cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for
restaurants, as children takes / take their Mums to lunch and/or
dinner. Americans spend a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers
and $70 million on / in Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy
small plastic flowers and the money raised goes / go to help needy
mothers and their children. Many people are again / against the idea
of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have
lost their mother. Spare a thought / think for them this Mother’s Day.

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 6

MOTHER’S DAY

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Mother's Day is an important day (1) ____ around the world, even though it
started in North America and Europe. Not all countries celebrate it on the
same day, but the most (2) ____ day is the second Sunday in May. It is, of
course, a day to honour our mothers and make them feel extra special. A
punctuation (3) ____ about the day is that most countries choose the
singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to
(4) ____ that each family honours their mother, rather than all of the
world’s mothers. Young children get especially (5) ____ about Mother’s Day
and put a lot of effort into making cards and presents for their Mums, or
Moms in America. For mothers, it is like (6) ____ a second birthday.

Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. (7) ____ mothers
usually get the day off from housework. It is common for children to cook for
their mother so she can have breakfast (8) ____ bed. She also receives
presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's Day is the busiest day of
the year for restaurants, as children (9) ____ their Mums to lunch and/or
dinner. Americans (10) ____ a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion on flowers
and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden, people buy small plastic
flowers and the money raised goes to help (11) ____ mothers and their
children. Many people are against the idea of Mother’s Day as it is upsetting
for children (and adults) who have lost their mother. Spare a thought for
(12) ____ this Mother’s Day.

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1. (a) every (b) all (c) whole (d) each
2. (a) popular (b) popularity (c) popularize (d) popularly
3. (a) sharp (b) point (c) end (d) show
4. (a) shown (b) showing (c) show (d) show off
5. (a) exciting (b) excite (c) excites (d) excited
6. (a) having (b) has had (c) had (d) has
7. (a) meant (b) meaning (c) meanie (d) means
8. (a) on (b) under (c) in (d) at
9. (a) cook (b) take (c) make (d) prepare
10. (a) eat (b) talk (c) laugh (d) spend
11. (a) needy (b) needed (c) necessary (d) needs
12. (a) they (b) this (c) them (d) we

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 7

MOTHER’S DAY

SPELLING

Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.
Paragraph 1

1. Not all countries rcebatele it
2. make them feel extra lciseap
3. the hstopaoepr before the ‘s’
4. Young children get lspecilaye excited
5. put a lot of roteff into making cards
6. it is like having a denosc birthday

Paragraph 2

7. the day off from eoohkrwsu
8. It is moconm for children to cook for their mother
9. She also rsieecev presents
10. help nyeed mothers
11. Many people are tgiasan the idea
12. Spare a hohgttu for them

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 8

MOTHER’S DAY

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

() countries celebrate it on the same day, but the most popular day
() is the second Sunday in May. It is, of course, a day to
()
() presents, flowers and cards. In America, Mother's Day is the
() busiest day of the year for restaurants, as
()
() raised goes to help needy mothers and their children. Many
() people are against the idea of Mother’s Day as

(1) about Mother’s Day and put a lot of effort into making cards and
presents for their Mums, or
()
() it is upsetting for children (and adults) who have lost their
() mother. Spare a thought for them this Mother’s Day.
()
() Moms in America. For mothers, it is like having a second
birthday.

Mother’s Day in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. means
mothers usually get the day off from

honour our mothers and make them feel extra special. A
punctuation point about the day is that most

Mother's Day is an important day all around the world, even
though it started in North America and Europe. Not all

on flowers and $70 million on Mother’s Day cards. In Sweden,
people buy small plastic flowers and the money

children take their Mums to lunch and/or dinner. Americans
spend a lot on this day - over $2.5 billion

family honours their mother, rather than all of the world’s
mothers. Young children get especially excited

housework. It is common for children to cook for their mother so
she can have breakfast in bed. She also receives

countries choose the singular possessive “Mother’s Day”, with the
apostrophe before the ‘s’ to show that each

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 9

MOTHER’S DAY

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES

With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.

1. around world important all the an day

2. it Not on all the countries same celebrate day

3. feel make extra them special

4. get Young especially children excited

5. put cards making into effort of lot a

6. from off day the get usually mothers housework

7. It common children cook is for to

8. busiest the restaurants for year the of day

9. goes raised money the mothers needy help to

10. for thought a Spare them

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 10

MOTHER’S DAY

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOTHER’S DAY

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 11

MOTHER’S DAY

THE MOTHER’S DAY SURVEY

Write five questions about Mother’s Day in the table. Do this in pairs/groups. Each
student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
Without your partner, interview other students. Write down their answers.

STUDENT 1 STUDENT 2 STUDENT 3

_____________ _____________ _____________

Q.1.

Q.2.

Q.3.

Q.4.

Q.5.

Return to your original partner(s) and share and talk about what you found out.
Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 12

MOTHER’S DAY

WRITING

Write about Mother’s Day for 10 minutes. Show your
partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 13

MOTHER’S DAY

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words
from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or
another search engine) to build up more associations /
collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information
about Mother’s Day. Talk about what you discover with your
partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about
Mother’s Day. Write about what happens around the world.
Include two imaginary interviews with people who did something
on this day.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give
each other feedback on your articles.

4. POSTER: Make your own poster about Mother’s Day. Write
about will happen on this day around the world.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give
each other feedback on your articles.

Copyright © www.ESL Holiday Lessons.com 14